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Leaks & Service Repairs

757-399-3066 ext 3 (Leaks & Service Repairs)

Reroof Estimates & Inspections

757-399-3066 ext 1 (Reroof Estimates & Inspections)

Category: Commercial Roofing

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Metal Roof, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation, Roofing Information, Roofing Innovations

Why Are Metals Roofs More Expensive?

If you’ve been considering reroofing your home, you’ve probably been researching and pricing out different options.

These days there are many more options than just a traditional 3-tab asphalt shingle. There are composite materials, walkable surfaces, wood, clay tile and metal. Of all of these materials, metal roofing is showing the largest growth in consumer interest. While metal roofs are typically more expensive upfront compared to shingled roofs, there are some good reasons why the price disparity exists and many cost benefits associated with a metal roof. Here are just a few things to consider when evaluating whether metal is the right materials for your home’s new roof.

Why so high?
So why do metal roofs have a higher upfront cost than traditional shingles?

First, the materials used in metal roofs, such as steel, aluminum, or copper, are generally more expensive than the asphalt materials used in traditional shingles. These heavy-duty materials can also cost more to manufacture and to ship. Most manufacturers have a factory applied paint finish, with a wide range of color options and some custom colors or less common colors may have an additional cost.

Secondly, they have a longer lifespan thanks to the durability of the materials used. While a typical shingle roof can be expected to function properly for 20 to 30 years, a metal roof can be expected to perform for 50 or more years with proper maintenance. This longevity significantly reduces the need for roof replacements. You may go through two asphalt shingle roofs in the lifespan of one metal roof, making the metal roof much more cost effective over time.

Thirdly, metal roofs withstand heavy winds and storms better than a traditionally shingled roof. This matters a lot in places like southeast Virginia where we encounter hurricanes, tropical storms, nor’easters and plenty of regular old severe storms at any given time of the year. While shingle roofs may be rated for up to 110 mph winds, some metal roofs are rated for 140 mph winds or even more. That’s the difference between withstanding a category two hurricane and a category four hurricane. The reduced costs in repairs over time also contribute to the long-term value of a metal roof.

Finally, metal roofs are more energy efficient, which can lead to cost savings in the long term. They reflect a significant portion of the sun’s radiant heat, reducing the need for air conditioning during hot summer months. This reflective property, coupled with proper insulation, can help lower cooling costs and decrease energy consumption. Moreover, some metal roofs are designed with integral air gaps or coatings that enhance their insulating properties, further reducing heating costs in colder climates. These energy-saving advantages contribute to lower utility bills and, ultimately, a return on investment for homeowners who choose metal roofs.

So yes, metal roofs are a steeper upfront investment in your home. But the cost has long-term benefits that can outweigh the initial cost disparity. The extended lifespan, reduced need for roof replacements, energy efficiency, and consequent cost savings make metal roofs a wise and financially sound choice for homeowners seeking durability, sustainability, and long-term economic advantages.

If you’re weighing your roofing materials options, we’d be happy to help guide you through the process. At Andrews Roofing we take pride in using the best products on the market, no matter what material you decide to go with. We take our time with clients, walking them through the pros and cons, typical costs and even financing options because we know that replacing your roof is a big decision and a long-term investment. Contact us today for a roofing consultation.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Leak, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Repairs

Is Your Roof Talking to You?

You’ve heard the saying “if these walls could talk” but did you know your roof really can talk to you?

No, your roof talking to you doesn’t mean you have a poltergeist, but it does mean you might have a major repair or replacement on your hands. The key is understanding the different forms of communication a house uses.

Remember, silence is golden. If a roof is in great shape with no issues, it’s likely to stay quiet. But when failure due to damage or age starts up, that’s when you’ll start to “hear” some moaning and groaning.

The first form of communication a failing roof will use is visual. Cracked, dry, brittle, or missing shingles is the first sign that a roof is reaching the end of its lifespan. Knowing when your roof was installed will, of course, help with determining if the time has come for a replacement based on materials used and their expected lifespan. If it’s just a couple of shingles showing wear, it may be possible that a small repair can extend the life of your roof a little longer. But if more than 5-10% of your roof is showing obvious signs of aging, it’s telling you that it’s time for a full replacement.

The second form of communication a roof will use is your energy bill. Have you seen a recent spike in how much energy you’re using each month? This could very well be because of an aging roof. Missing or deteriorated insulation, worn out shingles, damaged or decayed forms of ventilation can all cause your heating and cooling system to have to work harder, increasing your bills. Again, any one of these issues could be grounds for a professional repair, but add them all up together and a replacement is likely necessary.

The third, most obvious and more detrimental form of communication a roof can use is the leak. If you have a leak, there’s no doubt some form of repair or replacement is due. But pinpointing exactly where a leak is coming from and what type of failure is causing it can be difficult. A licensed and experienced roofing contractor should be called in immediately to assess the situation and provide some options. A minor leak doesn’t have to mean a total roof overhaul. Often leaks are caused by loose or missing flashing, a backed up gutter or a hole that is easily fixed. But sometimes the leak is simply a roof’s final message letting you know that its time has come to an end.

If you start hearing any of these messages from your roof, call in a licensed contractor to help you translate them and determine the best path forward. If repairs can be made to extend its life a few more years, it would be wise to take that length of time to start putting funds aside to pay for the eventual replacement. Roof replacements are a major investment, and no one wants to have to make that purchase suddenly and without warning.

At Andrews Roofing we are trained and experienced roof communicators. We’ve seen nearly every type of failure, repair and replacement scenario possible, which means we can give you the best advice and the most accurate estimates to help solve the problem. If you’re roof has started talking to you, contact us today.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation, Roofing Information

What to Expect During a Roof Replacement

You know your home needs a new roof, but you don’t know what your expectations should be around how that project may impact your daily life.

It’s a common and completely reasonable concern, but one that can be worked out and managed with a good roofing contractor. It’s inevitable that your daily routine will be disrupted a bit during the process, but knowing certain details in advance can help you prepare for this disruption so that your life can still move along smoothly and you can ensure your home is in tip-top shape.

While every project is different, there are a few things that you can expect to experience regardless of the size or type of roof being replaced.

Noise:
Roof replacement necessarily involves a lot of hammering, drilling, and other loud noises. There’s simply no way around this. However, having a timeline worked out in advance with your contractor will allow you to plan around the noise. If you work from home, you may want to find an alternative place to set up shop for a few days. If you have small kids who are at home during the day, it’s a great time to plan some outings or play dates. Please understand that you’ll need to be a bit flexible as roofing work can only be done when the weather is appropriate and sometimes crews need to make up for lost time.

Debris:
During the roof replacement process, debris such as old shingles, nails, and other roofing materials may fall onto the ground around the house. While the work is being done, it is important for the homeowner to ensure that their pets and children are kept away from the area until the work is complete. After work is done, your contractor should clean up the work zone as well as they can, but it’s a good idea to sweep the perimeter of your home to double check for any nails or shingle staples or other debris home before letting kids and pets loose. Using a magnetic pick-up tool is extremely helpful for small metal debris that is hard to spot such as shingle staples, and you can find them for under $20 at your local hardware store.

Workers:
You can expect several workers to be on site during the entirety of the project. You may want to introduce yourself to these individuals or at least to the project manager or foreman at the start of the project so you feel comfortable asking them questions or answering theirs. Keep in mind you’ll need to keep driveways and pathways around the house clear for the crew to get trucks and materials in and out. Removing lawn furniture or other outdoor equipment and items from around your house will make their job easier and also help to make sure none of your property is damaged.

Delays:
Even the best laid plans for a roof replacement can be undone by bad weather, material delays or crew shortages. Things happen that are outside of everyone’s control, so expect for a few bumps in the road along the way. Finding the right roofing contractor who communicates with you promptly and clearly is the key to getting through these little inevitable inconveniences without too much frustration.

If you’re ready for a new roof and are looking for a roofing contractor with a great reputation in the Hampton Roads region, give Andrews Roofing a call. We’ve worked with customers in the Tidewater area for decades and have a proven track record of great customer service and high-quality workmanship. Contact us today.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Flat Roof, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation

Under the Same Roof: How to Repair and Replace Shared Roofing Structures

If you live in a townhouse, condo or rowhouse situation in which you share a roof with your neighbors, you likely have legitimate concerns about ever having to repair or replace it.

A shared roof can pose unique challenges for homeowners living beneath them, especially when there are no condo or homeowner associations to manage the decision making. If your home has a shared roof, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Get to Know Your Neighbors
For many reasons, it’s a good idea to get to know your neighbors. But it’s particularly important if you share walls, fences, roofs, yards, etc. The better you know your neighbors, the more likely you are to have an amicable discussion about repairs and replacements when the time comes. You’ll also be more aware of their specific situation and whether they are ready and willing to invest money in their home.

It’s also a good idea to have frank conversations with your neighbors about where they stand on shared repairs so no one is taken by surprise when something comes up. These conversations are easier to have when there isn’t an emergency or dire need so people don’t feel pressured to make a decision.

Get Ahead of the Problem
An ounce of maintenance is worth a pound of repair. Talk to your neighbors about having your roof professionally inspected every few years, and work together to ensure the roof is maintained from the outside, keeping gutters clear and debris removed. Each of you should also be checking your attic spaces to check for moisture, leaks or ventilation issues, and keeping each other informed of what you find.

This is more important than you’d think, but we’ve personally seen neighbors suing neighbors because one person’s roof was causing a leak on the other homeowner’s side due to disrepair. Nipping these issues in the bud early can prevent a lot of headache and cost down the line.

Work Together
If and when the time comes for a roofing replacement, it is possible to work together with your neighbors to come to a solution. We have replaced roofs for multiple owners under the same roof who worked together to find the right contractor, material, color and installation schedule that worked for all of them. Don’t assume this is an impossibility. Give your neighbors the benefit of the doubt that they also want to make sure their home is well maintained and protected.

The first and most important thing to do is to discuss your budget and what each homeowner is reasonably willing and able to spend on the project. The next step is to decide who will be in charge of certain responsibilities. For instance, will one person be in charge of collecting all the estimates, or should each neighbor schedule and report back on a single estimate? Will one person be responsible for cutting the check and getting payment from everyone else, or will the contractor accept equal payments from each person directly? Does someone need to finance their portion? If so, then they may need to work directly with the contractor to set up a payment plan, while everyone else can pay their share in cash.

Finally, it’s critical to be flexible. Not everyone is going to agree on every single thing, whether it’s budget, contractor, material or color. Talk about your non-negotiables and try to find some common ground to reach a solution that meets everyone’s top needs. But don’t go into the situation assuming you will get every single thing you want on your checklist.

Last Resort: Go It Alone
It is possible in some cases to have a single portion of a shared roof repaired or replaced if you cannot get your neighbors on board for a full reroofing. It is by no means ideal, and it’s important to note that it can impact warranties and workmanship guarantees. But, if your roof is damaged or at the end of its life, you’re better off doing something now and avoiding further damage than waiting for all your neighbors to get on the same page.

If you have a shared roof situation and need an estimate, advice or inspection, give Andrews Roofing a call. We’ve worked with families in the Hampton Roads region for decades and we know this area’s specific types of housing scenarios so we can give you the best solution to your roofing problem. Contact us today.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Rapid Rain Gutter System, Residential Roofing, Roof Maintenance, Roofing Information

Four New Year’s Roofing Resolutions

It’s the beginning of a new year, and that means it’s time for resolutions.
Most New Year’s resolutions revolve around self-improvement, but the truth is, you’re great just the way you are. So instead, we suggest making some home-improvement resolutions that don’t require a scale, a short-lived gym membership, or eventual self-loathing. Here are a few that can improve not just your home, but your enjoyment of it as well.

Monthly Inspections
This resolution is easy to implement, only takes a few minutes and can help save your home from preventable damage. Once a month, do a visual inspection of the exterior of your home. Add it to your calendar, set a reminder on your phone, or whatever you use to keep track of recurring tasks.

From the outside of your house, walk the perimeter and look for any holes or damage to siding, loose flashing, loose or missing shingles, brittle or broken shingles, moisture around your foundation, debris that may have landed on your roof, mildew or algae buildup or anything else that seems out of place or damaged. From the inside, peek into your attic and make sure all the rafters and roof decking are dry, that the ventilation is working properly and that insulation is in place. Take a look out any windows that may give you a view of dormers or roofing valleys that aren’t visible from the ground.

If you spot any damage, take photos – especially if you believe the damage requires an insurance claim – and call in a licensed contractor to have a second look and give an estimate for repairs. Your visual inspection should only take a few minutes but could save you thousands of dollars and lots of headaches down the road. As they say in medicine, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Gutter Cleaning
Your monthly visual inspection may give you an idea of when your gutters need to be cleaned out, but you also may not be able to see all the debris in your gutters from the safety of the ground (which is the only place we recommend doing an inspection yourself). In Hampton Roads, the amount of foliage and storm debris increases the likelihood of needing a good gutter cleaning. While many websites and professionals will say cleaning your gutters twice a year is fine, we recommend once per season if you live in Southeast Virginia.

This year, resolve to have a professional gutter cleaning service come to your house every three months. You can schedule these cleanings in advance, so you don’t even have to think about it once you’ve made the initial call. The great thing about having a professional gutter cleaning is that it can reduce the likelihood of roof damage from water that builds up and pushes up under your roofing material when gutters are overfilled with debris. It also means there are professional eyes on your roof several times a year. A good cleaning company will alert you if they see any damage, debris or signs of aging that you should know about – all without you ever having to climb a ladder.

Make the Repairs
Maybe you already know your roof is in need of repairs. Perhaps you’ve seen the shingles fly off during a storm, or you can hear flashing or loose gutters banging around on a windy night. If so, then the new year is the perfect time to resolve to finally have it fixed.

Taking care of these types of repairs extends the life of your roof, saving you money and protecting your investment. A simple repair may have a small upfront cost, but in the long term it will be well worth it. Make sure to call in a professional, licensed roofing contractor to make the repairs. It may also be the case that the damage that needs to be repaired is under warranty, in which case you may not even have to pay out of pocket. If you think this is the case, find your original paperwork and reach out to the manufacturer or installer to make a claim.

New Year, New Roof
Lastly, if you know it’s time, then make this the year that you finally get that old roof replaced. Living under a roof that is past its recommended life span is just asking for trouble and interior damage that will not be covered by insurance. In the Tidewater region, the majority of residential roofs are asphalt shingles, which typically have a lifespan of 20-30 years. So, if your home was built before 1993 or if your home’s roof hasn’t been replaced since then, it’s likely time to make this a priority.

Roof replacements typically happen in the spring and fall, so if you know ahead of time that you will be needing a new roof this year, start vetting roofing companies now during the slower months. Gather several estimates and start researching your options for materials, colors, manufacturers, etc. Once you’ve made your decisions, get on your chosen roofing company’s installation schedule and get the materials ordered. Some materials are taking significantly longer to get in stock because of supply chain issues, so the sooner you can make your decisions and place orders, the better.

At Andrews Roofing we want to wish all of our Hampton Roads neighbors a beautiful, blessed 2023. If you find yourself in need of roofing repairs, replacements or inspections, we would be happy to help you determine the right course of action for your home so that you can enjoy it for many more years to come. Contact us today.

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Category: Andrews Roofing, Commercial Roofing, Residential Roofing, Roof Installation

How Copper Prevents Dirt & Mold

On this commercial PVC membrane, notice the clean side is downhill and dirty side is uphill. When water runs across the copper cable it actually picks up tiny particles that distribute across the roof to prevent mold and algae growth, also inhibiting dirt accumulation. But these cables are actually a series of lightning rods, so if lightning strikes the building, its purpose would be to absorb the electrical charge and direct it to a grounding source to minimize damage to the building. This is relative to shingle roofing because the granules are designed with a copper core, which allows shingles to have an algae resistant quality.

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